Bangsamoro cops seize P14-M smuggled cigarettes
COTABATO CITY — Police implementing the Bangsamoro election gun ban confiscated at least P14 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested five individuals for transporting the contraband in Cotabato City and Maguindanao del Norte on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) regional director, said police officers foiled attempts to smuggle alleged imported cigarettes.
In Cotabato City, joint police and Philippine Marines personnel flagged down an Isuzu wing van (MBH 1821) along Diversion Road in Barangay Poblacion 8 for a plain-view and regular inspection, but the driver and his helper appeared restless.
READ: P1.5-M ‘smuggled’ cigarettes seized in Northern Mindanao
Further questioning led to the discovery of 110 boxes of cigarettes worth an estimated P2,750,000.
Faharudin Eman, 20, the truck driver; Hamid Landangan Manday, 41, the helper; and another helper identified only as alias “Aiman,” all residents of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, failed to present documents for the transport of the cigarettes.
In Matanog, Maguindanao del Sur, police manning a checkpoint intercepted a wing van cargo truck loaded with at least P12 million worth of alleged smuggled cigarettes before dawn Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The truck, driven by Arnel Alegarbves, 55, with his helper, Jaytonie Isidro, 23, both from Maguindanao del Norte, was flagged down for inspection.
Law enforcers noticed master boxes of cigarettes inside the cargo truck. The driver failed to provide documents for the transport of the cigarettes.
Police confiscated 290 master cases. The suspects are now detained at the Matanog police detention facility awaiting the filing of charges.
Abecia commended the operating units for their prompt response, effective coordination, and commitment to enforcing the law against the illicit trade of tobacco products.
“This operation demonstrates our continuing commitment to prevent the entry and distribution of smuggled cigarettes in the region,” Abecia said in a statement.
“We will continue to strengthen our coordination with the Bureau of Customs and other concerned agencies to ensure that these illegal activities are addressed in accordance with the law,” he added. /mcm
